The hidden details behind V and David’s very different downfalls in Cyberpunk 2077 and Edgerunners

World of Cyberpunk is fascinating, and soon will be expanded by a TCG. This universe offers us many unique enhancements, called cyberware (Mantis Blades are probably the most recognizable). However, using them can cause a sickness called cyberpsychosis. Even today, unclear nature of this disorder starts disputes on the subject why David Martinez died but V not.

The hidden details behind V and David’s very different downfalls

Cyberpsychosis is an important part of Cyberpunk universe. When you install too many cyberwares, you can lose control of yourself. Mike Pondsmith, creator of this tabletop RPG system, says that the point of no return is unique for each character, every person has its own limit. He also presented his own perspective on differences between V and David Martinez.

David Martinez road to cyberpsychosis

In Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, we witness rise and downfall of David Martinez. He is a teenager from Santo Domingo and a student of Arasaka Academy. However, in school, he is bullied due to his low financial status. At the end of the day, he is a regular person with his own problems. Mike Pondsmith believes that Martinez’s humanity stat was quite high at the beginning. So, he differs from V, who, regardless of his origins, had to be often ruthless.

When David Martinez life begins to fall apart, the situation becomes way more complicated. His high humanity stat works in this world like buffer, but it dropped down rapidly and was overwhelmed by the number of cyberware. In short time, he was affected by many traumas like death of his mother and his mentor. At the same time, he upgraded his body with many implants in a short time. Fans often forget that Sandevistan is only top of the mountain. When we watch the anime, we see how Martinez’s body is changing. He has way more cyberware than you can imagine.

If we add to this fact that the story presented in Edgerunners takes place over the course of about a year, so longer than in Cyberpunk 2077, then cyberpsychosis isn’t surprising. He has time to develop it.

Why isn’t V a cyberpsycho?

On the other hand we have V. Many people think that the protagonist of Cyberpunk 2077 has a plot armor and nothing bad can happen to them. However, even they have their limit. After 2.0 update, V has to take into consideration “Cyberware capacity” that restricts them. In the previous versions, though, this stat wasn’t implemented. However, even without limits, it is possible to argue that he would not become cyberpsycho.

Cyberpunk 2077, developer: CD Project RED

In the first place, V is dead. The Konpeki Plaza heist was a complete disaster and everyone who took part in this burglary was killed. Relic in V’s head “restarts” him and allows him to survive. However, this is only temporary, because he is being overwritten by Johnny Silverhand engram. So, V doesn’t have a whole year. His story is much shorter plotwise than in the case of David Martinez (regardless of your time in the game), and V even doesn’t have time to experience cyberpsychosis symptoms.

Additionally, Johnny Silverhand live rent free in V’s head. According to Mike Pondsmith, his rage “acted as a buffer for the psychological hits V is taking”.

Cyberpunk 2077

December 10, 2020

Rate It!

• Overview
• Guide
• Review

• CD Projekt RED
• cyberpunk